"Christmas Pajamas"

Reading your Holiday Traditions Editorials, of course, got me thinking. 

At my stage in life—now a pet grandparent-- there have been many family holiday traditions over the years. And as some of you have experienced; traditions change. Some changes are happy, some sad, some bittersweet. 

Christmas Pajamas 

I don’t really remember when this tradition started, but what I do know is that it is my personal power-on-button for the holiday season. I cannot buy a single gift until I have the Christmas Pajamas bought for the entire family, and there are seven of us!  

The tradition started long ago when I started buying Christmas Pajamas for our three young kids. Receiving them was a big deal on Christmas Eve. After an evening of church and dinner at home, the festively wrapped Christmas Pajamas were presented and everyone scurried off to put them on. Anticipation was palpable as the three kids wondered, “What did mom choose for us this year?” My husband cringed as he hated the whole ordeal. 

There was always a theme that somehow matched kids and parents, even the unwilling one. Way back there were trains and trucks and Barbie dolls for the small fry. One year I decided my daughter needed cheetah. Or leopard. Not sure which, but what I do remember is that she hated them and they never saw the light of day again. 

Pajama themes from recent years are more memorable; plaid flannel pajama pants from their respective colleges, ugly Christmas-like-the-sweater pajama bottoms, and coordinating plaids. And most recently, red and black buffalo plaid flannel shirts with black sweatpants or leggings. 

It was easier when they were little and all lived at home. I considered myself  lucky to get them—the kids-- cleaned up and out of the pajamas for Christmas dinner, which is also a family birthday. Lately, I hand them out to whomever I see on Christmas Eve. 

More change this year; kinda bittersweet. Only the doggies are getting Christmas Pajamas in the form of collar scarves. And now I know to stick to plaid and not cheetah.